The disaster of 1906 was not a great destruction of people - but a great destruction of materials, which helps explain the behavior of many survivors at the time.

They did not panic - there was no mass hysteria. They were concerned and they were curious as to the extent of the damage. Some stood on the hills, some in the streets and others sat on the roofs and balconies drinking tea.

Everybody was watching the fire. And many - VERY many - reached for their cameras and went out to take some pictures. An exact number is unknown, but hundreds, if not thousands of pictures were taken on that eventful day.